(Deming) – The Deming Arts Center is looking for artists interested in participating in an artists’ studio tour later this year.The tour will be September 30th and October 1st, 2017.Interested artists need to submit an application no later than August 1st so the tour can be advertised and a brochure created for people taking the tour.Artists do not have to be members of the Deming Arts Council to participate.Also, artists do not have to participate both days, but must indicate that on their application.And artists who do not have a studio can partner with artists who are participating in the studio tour.Artists interested in participating should submit $25 along with biographical information and a couple of jpeg pictures to be used in the brochure.Organizers will be distributing the brochures throughout the area prior to the tour.Applications are available at the Deming Arts Center, 100 S. Gold in Deming.More information is available by calling 546-3663.

(Deming) – Officials at the New Mexico Environment Department, the city of Deming and Luna County are advising Luna County citizens of the potential risks associated with dust storms.High winds, which have been prevalent this week, can raise large amounts of dust from areas of dry, loose, exposed soil.Luna County typically experiences ten days per year when air exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for airborne particulate matter of ten microns or less in size due to dust storms. Ten microns is about 1/7th the diameter of a human hair. The ten-micron standard was developed to protect the public’s health and welfare.Environment Department experts say the inhalation of dust can cause a number of serious health problems and can make some health problems worse.Dust can irritate lungs and trigger asthma attacks, as well as allergic reactions. For people who already suffer from these conditions, dust can cause serious breathing problems. Dust can also cause coughing, wheezing and runny noses. Breathing large amounts of dust for prolonged periods can result in chronic breathing and lung problems.The best precaution to take during a dust storm is simply to avoid going outside.If residents must go outside, they are advised to spend as little time outside as possible, avoid hard exercise and wear some type of covering over the nose and mouth to provide protection from larger dust particles.

(Deming) – A mixed martial arts fighter from Grant County has been arrested on abuse charges after a 3-year-old girl was found unresponsive in a home in Tucson, AZ.Tucson news sources are reporting that 31-year-old Gilbert Cuhen, the live-in boyfriend of the child’s mother, is behind bars in the Pima County Jail facing two counts of child abuse.Bond reportedly was set at $350,000.Official reports show the child was in critical condition as of Thursday night, April 27th. The child's family, many of whom live in Deming, said she is on life support.The incident began Wednesday night when the child's mother left the 3-year-old and a 6-month-old at home with Cuhen.When the mother returned, the 3-year-old was unresponsive.Tucson doctors said the toddler had injuries consistent with abuse and a search warrant was issued.By the time authorities got to the home, Cuhen had left for Deming, where he has family.Luna County Sheriff’s Captain Jose Martinez said they were alerted by Tucson police at around 1 a.m. Thursday.Martinez said deputies found Cuhen at a residence on 8th St. SW but had no warrant on which to hold him.Cuhen then returned to Tucson and surrendered to Tucson authorities without incident.

​(Deming) - Here's the area crime report: Mike Franco, age 26, was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with officers… Ernesto Dominguez, age 19, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, trespassing and shoplifting at Walmart… Wilfredo Saenz, age 19, was arrested on a District Court warrant for failure to comply with conditions of probation… Victor Montano, age 21, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Luis Moreno-Valois, 34, of El Paso, TX, was arrested on a Dona Ana County warrant for failure to pay fines… and Manuel Lopez, age 33, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines. Also, a stereo, headlights and taillights, with a combined value of over $300, were taken from a pickup parked off Granite St.

(Deming) – A Columbus event this weekend will commemorate an Ohio tragedy that occurred nearly 47 years ago. On May 4th, 1970, National Guardsmen shot and killed four students and wounded nine others at Ohio’s Kent State University during a Vietnam War protest. This Saturday and Sunday, April 29th and 30th, readings from local author Barbara Agte's book "Kent Letters" will be presented by July McClure, Anne Reedy and Linda Werner at Tumbleweed Theater in Columbus. Organizers say the event will honor those who were killed and wounded at Kent State. In addition to the readings, videos by Fernando Marquez will be shown with music by guitarist Dev Olliver. Doors will open both days at 1:15 p.m., and the one-hour presentation will start at 2 p.m. There is no charge for the presentation, but reservations are required. Call 575-494-0009 for reservations or more information. Tumbleweed Theater is located on Broadway in Columbus, across from the public library.

(Deming) – In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention month, Luna County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates – or CASA – program is continuing its tradition of hosting a community celebration to help children’s voices be heard. The fourth annual Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 29th, at Luna County Courthouse Park. The event is free, open to the public, and sponsored by CASA and the local Children, Youth and Families Department office. Attendees will enjoy music, food and drinks, children’s activities and raffling of children’s prizes – all at no charge. There also will be community information booths set up. Everyone is welcome.

(Deming) – The Luna County commissioners will meet in special session Friday morning, followed by a budget work session. The special session, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday, is for the purpose of selecting an external auditor and a representative to the New Mexico Association of Counties’ board of directors. The work session, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Friday, is to discuss the county’s 2017-2018 preliminary budget. The budget review is for discussion only. A second county budget work session has been set for Thursday, May 18th. Again, the special session is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. this Friday, April 28th, in the commission chambers, located on the third floor of the Luna County Courthouse. The special session and budget work session are open to the public.

(Deming) – There is still time to register for the Health Careers Academy being offered in Deming in July. The academy, open to high school students, is described as an intense, two-week event providing enhanced skills for students considering pursuing a health career and features presentations and tours of medical facilities. Students will receive three dual-enrollment credits, valued at $1,600, at no cost to them. Eligible students must be Luna County residents who will be entering 9th-12th grades in August. A minimum grade-point-average of 2.5 is required. Students must have contact information for two school references and show their unofficial high school transcript or report card. The Health Careers Academy will be held July 5th-9th, weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Mimbres Valley Learning and Special Events Center. Lunch will be provided. Online applications are due May 5th. Log on to http://outreach.wnmu.edu/hca-deming/ or call Cassie Arias at 546-8848 ext. 118 for more information.

(Deming) – The city of Deming is hiring youth lifeguards to work at the Sam Baca Aquatic Center. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test. Pay will be $7.50 an hour and the work schedule will vary. The pool is set to open in mid-May, and hiring will begin May 1st. Employment applications are available at the John Strand Municipal Building, 303 S. Gold Ave. The city of Deming is an equal opportunity employer.

(Deming) – The Deming Motor Vehicle Division office will be closed part of Friday morning for staff training. Val Villezcas said the local office at 700 E. Spruce St. will be closed from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Friday. Regular hours will resume Friday morning at 10 a.m. Again, the Deming MVD office will be closed this Friday, April 28th, from 7:30-10 a.m. for staff training. The office will re-open at 10 a.m. Call 546-2088 for more information.

KDEM-FM and KOTS-AMare affiliated with the Associated Press news network and carry AP network news, followed by local and state news at the top of the hour, 24 hours a day. We are truly Deming’s “information stations” and the stations Luna County residents depend on for news, hometown happenings, weather, sports and agriculturalinformation.

Persons named on the Crime Report are to be considered innocent until final disposition of the case is made by a court. ____________________________